How Ayurveda Treat Interstitial Cystitis?

Abstract

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that is mainly situated in the lower abdomen and its main function is to store urine in it. Due to its muscular nature, it expands when urine is stored in it and contracts when the bladder is empty. Interstitial cystitis is a condition related to the bladder that causes pain and pressure in the pelvic area. The range of pain depends upon the severity of the disease that is mild pain to severe pain. Here, in this article, we are going to study Interstitial cystitis.

Introduction

Interstitial cystitis is also known as Bladder pain syndrome. The word Interstitial stands for the space between tissue or organs and the word Cystitis stands for inflammation. It is a chronic condition that causes discomfort, pain or pressure in the bladder area.  Interstitial cystitis is an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. Due to this condition, the bladder can not hold urine as compared to its natural capacity. In severe conditions, this disease may cause inflammation or irritation in the bladder wall. Due to inflammation in Interstitial cystitis, the signals from the bladder to the brain or brain to bladder get mixed, due to which the patient feels the need to urinate more but the volume of the urine is very small. The condition of Interstitial cystitis affects females more due to the shorter urethra that makes lead irritants easy to reach the bladder. In this article, we are going to study causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, Ayurvedic aspects and management, diet and herbal remedies for interstitial cystitis by Planet Ayurveda.

Causes of Interstitial Cystitis

The exact cause of Interstitial Cystitis is still unknown but there are several risks or contributing factors that can increase this condition. These factors may be as follows

• Any autoimmune condition
• Infection
• Damage to the bladder lining
• Gender
• Use of statin drugs
• Damage to nerves or nerve disorder
• Heredity

Signs of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that can affect any gender but most probably it affects females due to short urethra. Some of the common signs of interstitial cystitis are as follows

• Pain
• Frequent urination
• Urgency

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

The symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis depend upon the condition of the patient and the severity of the disease. It can cause a variety of symptoms, but the common symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis are as follows

• Pain in the pelvic region
• Discomfort in the bladder on filling with urine
• Small amount of urine flow
• Frequent urge to pass urine
• Pain during sex

Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis

The diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis can be done by taking proper physical and medical history of the patient. However, there is no direct laboratory test to diagnose Interstitial Cystitis, but there are some diagnostic tests that can help to rule out other associated conditions like infection. These tests are as follows

• Urinalysis to check blood in urine, pus, white blood cells or infection in urine.
• Biopsy to check bladder cancer or other causes of bladder pain
• Cystoscopy to check bladder cancer

Management of Interstitial Cystitis

The management of Interstitial Cystitis according to allopathic medicine may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants etc.

Ayurveda Aspect of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis is a condition in which the bladder gets inflamed.  It is a chronic condition that causes discomfort, pain or pressure in the bladder area. In Ayurveda, it can be somehow correlated with the Basti Shoola. In this condition, the Vata (Apana Vata) and Pitta dosha are affected. The aggravated Pitta dosha along with Vata dosha affects the channels of the urinary system (Mutra Vaha Srotas) due to which the patient feels symptoms like pain during urination. Due to Vata (Apana Vata) imbalance, symptoms like pubic pain and altered bladder pattern occur. Burning and painful sensations may also occur due to aggravated Pitta dosha.

संरोधात कुपितो वायुर्बस्तिमावृत्य तिष्ठति |
बस्तिवङ्क्षणनाभीषु ततः शूलोअस्य जायते ||
विण्मूत्रवातसंरोधी बस्तिशूलः स मारुतात ||

(सुश्रुत उत्तरतंत्र 42 /134 )

According to the above shloka, due to withholding the urges of urine and faeces, the Vata dosha gets aggravated and lodged into the urinary bladder. This leads to pain in the bladder, umbilicus and pelvic area. This is known as Basti Shoola and it is a Vata-Pitta predominant disease.

Ayurveda Management of Interstitial Cystitis

In Ayurveda, there is no direct correlation of Interstitial cystitis but it can be related to Basti Shoola somehow according to location and symptoms. Ayurvedic herbs like Gokshura, Punarnava, Chandan, Varun, Kasani, Dashmoola etc can be given in this condition.

Panchkarma

बस्तिमेहनयोः शूलं मूत्रकृच्छ्रं शिरोरुजा | विनामो वङ्क्षणानाहः स्याल्लिङ्गं मूत्रनिग्रहे||६||
स्वेदावगाहनाभ्यङ्गान् सर्पिषश्चावपीडकम् | मूत्रे प्रतिहते कुर्यात्त्रिविधं बस्तिकर्म च||७||

(चरक सूत्रस्थान 7/6-7)

• Swedana  (Sudation Therapy) – In this therapy, sweating is induced, which helps in the management of pain. This therapy helps improve blood circulation, relax muscles and reduce inflammation.
• Abhyanga (Massage therapy) – Abhyanga therapy involves a process of massage by using warm medicated oils. It helps to boost the energy channels of the body and improves pain and swelling.
• Basti (Medicated Enema) – Basti is the introduction of decoction or oil made by medicated oil through the rectum. Basti helps in the management of Vata imbalance and helps in relieving bladder pain.
• Avapeedaka Ghee – Consumption of ghee is effective in this condition and helps the problems related to the urinary system.

Diet for Interstitial Cystitis

• Split pulses
• Vegetables like Carrots, Pumpkins, Lettuce, Green leafy vegetables, Turnips, mushrooms, spinach, cucumber, fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves etc.
• Fruits like papaya, banana, apple, muskmelon, watermelon, pear, pomegranate etc.
• Spices like fennel, turmeric, mint, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, carom etc.
• Dry fruits like almonds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds etc.

Herbal Remedies For Interstitial Cystitis By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a large-scale manufacturer of Ayurvedic herbal formulations for all health issues. All the formulations are formed after a number of clinical tests and trials. All the formulations are present in the form of decoction, oil, tablet, capsules, powder etc. These all formulations are made up of standard extract and these are highly efficient in nature. Here, in this article, we are going to discuss Planet Ayurveda’s formulations for the management of Interstitial cystitis.

1. Chandraprabha Vati
2. Chandanadi Vati
3. Punarnava Mandur
4. Varunadi Vati
5. Boswellia Curcumin

Product Description

1. Chandraprabha Vati

This formulation contains various ingredients like Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amalaki  (Emblica officinalis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and many more. This is a very effective formulation for urinary system health. Chandraprabha vati helps in relieving pain and inflammation of the bladder. This herbal formulation also helps in the management of urinary problems like urine retention.

Dosage – 2 tablets two times a day with warm water after meals.

2. Chandanadi Vati

This is the herbal formulation in the form of tablets that contains ingredients like Chandan (Santalum album), Kattha (Acacia catechu), Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Kapur (Cinnamomum camphora) and many others. This formulation contains herbs that are cold in potency which helps in the management of aggravated Pitta dosha. Chandanadi vati helps in the management of urine-related problems like burning urination, urinary infections, inflammation and dysuria.

Dosage – 2 tablets two times a day with warm water after meals.

3. Punarnava Mandur

This formulation contains key ingredients like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Pippali (Piper longum), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis) and many more. This formulation helps in the management of Vata and Pitta dosha which are responsible for Interstitial cystitis. This herbal formulation helps in the management of healthy urine flow.

Dosage – 2 tablets two times a day with warm water after meals.

4. Varunadi Vati

This formulation contains Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) and Guggul (Commiphora mukul). This formulation contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in the management of inflammation. These tablets help in urinary infection management and enhance stamina.

Dosage – 2 tablets two times a day with warm water.

5. Boswellia Curcumin

This herbal formulation is in the form of capsules that contain ingredients like Curcumin (Curcuma longa) and Shallaki (Boswellia serrata). It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in relieving inflammation. This formulation also helps in relieving pain in case of interstitial cystitis.

Dosage – 2 capsules two times a day with warm water after meals.

Conclusion

Interstitial cystitis is a disease related to the urinary system. The bladder is an organ that helps to store urine before passing out from the body. In this condition, the walls of the bladder get irritated and inflamed resulting in symptoms like pain and discomfort. It is a chronic condition which is also known as Bladder pain Syndrome. This condition can be managed by adapting a healthy diet and lifestyle along with Ayurvedic herbs and formulations. Interstitial Cystitis care pack contains various herbal formulations that help in the management of this condition very effectively.